Pompey were relegated to League One following a 10-point deduction for entering administration, but Pearce believes Appleton can be proud.

"He's been superb. The way he's handled it and the way he's kept the players going has been remarkable really," Pearce told BBC Radio Solent.

"I believe he'll go on to manage at the top level. He's been brilliant."

Pearce also believes Appleton is the man to turn the club's fortunes around.

"He's come in thinking he is taking over a normal club with OK finances, but obviously things went wrong a week into the job.

"It's going to be tough because there will be a lot of changes and a lot of players moving, but he's definitely the right man for the job."

Pearce, who joined Pompey's youth academy in 2004, also heaped praise on the club's supporters.

"I've been at Portsmouth since I was a young lad and I just want to see the best for the club and the fans," he said.

"The fans don't deserve it what's happening at the moment and it's just really hard to take and it's not nice.

"They have been unbelievable. They turn up when everything is against the club, when we're losing games, they're still there and still turn up in their numbers. They've been phenomenal and really helped us this year, hopefully the good times will come back for the fans."